Portable hand-held steamer

ABSTRACT

A portable hand-held steam generating apparatus includes a permanently sealed housing in which a quantity of water is disposed, the housing being shaped such that it contains the quantity of water in any portion taken about and through the center of the housing. Steam is produced by heating water in the lower portion of the housing using a pair of spaced, heatconducting electrodes that are water-activated. From the center of the housing, a nozzle, having greater cross-sectional area at its intake end than at its discharge end in order to increase steam pressure, directs steam toward a surface to be treated. A handle for the apparatus is slidable from a position within the housing to an extended position where it may be used to control the direction of the issuing steam.

. United States Patent vDoyel' [54] PORTABLE HAND-HELD STEAMER [72] Inventor: John S. Doyel, 404 N. 20th St., New

York, NY. 10011 221 Filed: March 16,1970 21 Appl.No.: 19,812

52 use]. ..68/222, 38/69, 219/271 [51] Int. Cl. ..D06c l/00, D06f 75/00 [58] Field of Search..68/222; 38/69; 69/20; 219/271, 219/275', 222/465; l5/l43 B 1 51 Oct. 3, 1972 [57] ABSTRACT A portable hand-held steam generating apparatus includes a permanently sealed housing in which a quantity of water is disposed, the housing being shaped 5 R f d such that it contains the quantity of water in any por- 1 e erences l e tion taken about and through the center of the hous- UNITED STATES PATENTS ing. Steam is produced by heating water in the lower portion of the housing using a pair of spaced, heatconducting electrodes that are water-activated. From 2,076,709. 4/1937 Deutsgfi "519/271 X the centerof the housing, a nozzle, having greater 2l729l7 1 9/1939 Voi 68/222 cross-sectional area at its intake end than at its 3272964 9/1966 [222 X discharge end in order to increase steam pressure, 3372499 3 968 Glb rt 68/222 directs steam toward a surface to be treated. A handle 3485O65 12/1969 i f "68/222 for the apparatus is slidable from a position within the v a housing to an extended position where it may be used FOREIGN PATENTS 0 APPLICATIONS to control the direction of the issuing'steam.

206,062 11/1923 Great Britain 15/ 144 B 6 Claim, 7 Drawing Figures I I b n Z2 llu 1 L h 40 za .L .L

' f? 26 5E: l l i I The' present invention relates to steaming 'imple-- ments for treating textiles. In particular, this invention relates to portable hand-held steam producing apparatus for removing wrinkles from fabric or garments.

Many types of fabrics, such-as clothing made of wool, silk, cotton and certain synthetic materials, become extensively wrinkled upon a single use or even in storage. Steam irons are commonly employed by both cleaning establishments andthe public for improving the appearance of wrinkled fabrics; however, these devices may not be used alone but require additional equipment for use, such as an ironing board, and such equipment may not be conveniently available, especially when the user is traveling. Moreover, steam irons are bulky, heavy and expensive, and in the less-expensive varieties leak water and'unevenly press and dry the wrinkled fabric.

Several portable clothes steamers'have recently been introduced on the market. Although some of these steamers also have an ironing function, others simply provide apparatus for producing steam and discharging it through a nozzle toward the fabric or garment to be treated. An inherent deficiency of most of these devices is that because it is desirable to maintain an unobstructed passageway for the issuing steam, water which has not been vaporized may travel the same path out the discharge nozzle should the apparatus be inverted or tilted. Inversion or tilting may readily occur either during use of the device or during storage. It is a particular problem when the user forgets to remove the remaining water from the device after it has been used. Frank US. Pat. No. 3,485,065 shows a steamer having a series of apertured baffles defining a tortuous path which the steam must follow to issue from the steamer. Although such a structure apparently does prevent substantial leakage of non-vaporized water, it concurrently prevents the steam from following a direct path from the area of vaporization to the discharge location. The

vapor pressure of the steam will be substantially reduced and hence so will the steaming action. The

nozzle is also prevented from heating to a sufficient degree to prevent condensation of the steam therein. It is a further deficiency of the Frank device that as the water surrounds the heating element, the apparatus will continue to generate steam should it be inverted or tilted, such as when the device is placed on a table and the user does not notice that it is not in upright position. Furthermore, the Frank device lacks suitable means by which the user may hold the steamer to direct the issuing steam.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION generates steam only when it is held in a substantially upright position and does not produce steam in the event it is substantially tilted or inverted.

It is a further object of the invention to provide pressurized steam from a portable steam generator without water issuing along the path of the issuing steam.

Stillanother object is to provide a suitable means for holding'a portablesteamer so as to directv the issuing steam in the desired direction.

Another object is to provide a portable steamer that is low in cost, yet completely safe to the user (both as to leaking hot water and electric current), and which may be used to remove wrinkles from most fabrics withou damage thereto.

The present invention provides for these purposes a portable, hand-held, substantially leak-proof vapor generator. The generator includes a permanently sealed housing- (other than the water fill hole) in which a quantity of liquid is contained to be vaporized. The vapor is discharged in a direct path from the housing such that non-vaporized liquid cannot be discharged along that path regardless of the position of the generator.

In accordance with the invention, the generator produces steam from a quantity of water disposed in the lower portion of the housing. This is accomplished by directing a pair of spaced heat-conducting elec trodes into the water when the device is in an upright position, the circuit being broken when the water is completely vaporized or the device is inverted or tilted, so that tilting the device serves as a switch.

. A nozzle having an intake end in the central region of the housing receives the steam and discharges it against a surface to be treated, e.g. a hanging garment. The nozzle has a greater cross-sectional area at its intake end than at its discharge end to increase the steam pressure. As the intake end of the nozzle is in the central region of the housing and as the housing has a substantially equal volume in all directions taken about the intake end, if a proper quantity of water is disposed in the housing, the water will not be discharged through the nozzle upon inversion or tilting of the device. The

proper quantity of water is determined by spacing the level of the water a substantial distance from the intake end of the nozzle. Thus, the device is substantially leakproof even if it should be accidentally inverted or tilted. A slidable handle is provided for the apparatus to control the direction of the issuing steam as well as to provide a means for holding the device. The handle may be spaced from the device and locked in position by a gravity-actuated lock when in use or contained substantially within the housing for storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top view of representative steam producing apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the steam producing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional elevational view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 44 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6 -6 in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the nozzle used in the apparatus of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a portable, hand-held, vapor generator for steaming fabric, garments or the like in accordance with the present invention and generally designated by the numeral 10. In general, the vapor generator comprises a housing 12 formed from an upper housing portion 14 and a lower housing portion- 16, sealed together about a lap seam 18. The housing portions 14, 16 provide a complete housing 12 that is substantially in the shape of a pistol. Asthe vapor generator 10 is used for producing water vapor at relatively high temperature and pressure, the housing 12 is advantageously constructed of a strong, heat-resistant material. Preferably, the housing 12 is fabricated of a thermoplastic resin such as that sold under the trade name NORYL by the General Electric Company. However, plastic materials such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, propylene or the like might be used as they are relatively less expensive. Where a thermoplastic resin such as NORYL is utilized, the upper and lower housing portions 14, 16 may be cemented together by any suitable solvent about lap seam 18. Where material such as propylene is employed, the upper and lower housing portions 14, 16 may be secured together ultrasonically or by any other suitable means about lap seam 18, In either case, the housing portions'are desirably permanently sealed together to prevent leakage of non-vaporized water therefrom, as explained in more detail below.

Only two openings are provided into the sealed housing 12. 'A water fill hole 20 is provided in the upper housing portion 14 to allow a quantity of water to be introduced into the housing 12 for vaporization thereof. An aperture 22 is provided in the front of the housing 12 through which generated steam may issue. Thus, the sealed housing 12 of the present invention is formed such that water will not be discharged therefrom through the openings.

One important aspect of the invention is that there is provided within the housing 12 a substantially equal capacity for containing the quantity of water in all directions taken about the geometric center 24 thereof. For example, if the generator 10 should be tilted such that the aperture 22 is-directed downwardly, the quantity of water 26 will flow into the front of the pistolshaped housing 12 surrounding but not exiting through the aperture the aperture 22. Thus, the quantity of water introduced into the housing 12 through the fill hole 20 may be contained within the housing regardless of its position. A more detailed analysis of this feature is contained in the following description.

The internal elements of the housing 12 are best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. There it can be seen that a quantity of water or other suitable liquid 26 is disposed in the lower housing portion 16 through the water fill hole 20 for vaporization thereof. As seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, a restriction chamber 28 is provided in the lower housing portion 16 to contain a portion of the quantity of water 26 disposed therein. A gap 30 is provided in the wall of the restriction chamber 28 to allow for the continuous flow of water from outside the restriction chamber 28 thereinto. A peg 31 is located in the-center of the restriction chamber 28.

A pairof heat-conducting electrodes 32, fabricated of stainless steel or other suitable material, are disposed within the housing 12 such that the lower ends of the electrodes are contained within the restriction chamber 28 and extend nearly to the base of the lower housing portion 16. The electrodes extend on opposite sides of the peg 31 within the restriction chamber 28 so that the electrodes do not contact each other.

The electrodes 32 are directed into the quantity of water 26 in the lower housing portion 16 beneath the geometric center 24 so as to heat the water therein until it is vaporized into steam. The electrodes 32 are spaced a distance apart such that no contact is normally made therebetween. As the electrodes are spaced apart, a complete electrical circuit required for vaporization includes the quantity of water 26. Thus, should the water be substantially completely vaporized or the vapor generator 10 be inverted or tilted such that the electrodes lose contact with the water or the water used be not sufficiently conductive, the circuit will be broken and no steam will be generated. it is intended that sufficient space be provided within the housing 12 that the quantity of water 26 will be accommodated without contacting the electrodes 32 should the generator be inverted or tilted. At their upper ends the electrodes 32 are secured by screws 34 or like fastening means to the upper housing portion 14, the screws also serving to connect the electrodes respectively to a lead wire 36 which in turn is connected to a suitable source of alternating current. A plate 35 separates the upper ends of the electrodes 32 and the respective screws 34 to prevent any contact therebetween. Although it is preferred to connect the electrodes 32 to a suitable al-' ternating current source, e.g. a standard household receptacle, it may also be desirable to provide power to the electrodes 32 by means of dry cells, batteries, or other suitable means.

To remove from the housing 12 the generated vapor produced upon heating the quantity of water 26, there is provided a nozzle 38 (as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 7). The nozzle 38 has its intake end 38a disposed in the vicinity of the geometric center 24 of the housing 12 and its discharge end 38b contiguous with and surrounding the aperture 22 at the front of the housing. The nozzle 38 thus removes generated steam only in a direct path from its area of generation just beneath the geometric center 24' to the point of issuance-at the aperture 22. By moving the generated steam in a direct path from its area of generation to its point of issuance, no substantial pressure is lost by the steam during its -travel. A screw 40 or like fastening means secures the intake end 38a to the upper housing portion 14 and a suitable solvent or ultrasonic sealing may be utilized to secure the discharge end 38b to the upper housing portion 14. The discharge end 38b is secured to the front of the housing 12 about the aperture 22 so that no water may leak from the housing about the discharge end. Preferably, the nozzle 38 has a greater cross-sectional area at its intake end 38a than at its discharge end 38b. This allows the water vapor to increase in pressure as it issues from the vapor generator 10, thus improving the steaming action of the device by providing slightly pressurized steam. Moreover, the nozzle 38 is located entirely within the housing 12 and hence is maintained at an elevated temperature by steam circulating about it. This substantially prevents condensation of steam within the nozzle 38. Additionally, the nozzle 38 is slanted such that its discharge end 38b is at a higher elevation than its intake end 38a when the device is disposed in an upright position. This allows any condensate formed within the nozzle 38 to run back into the lower housing portion 16 where it merges with the quantity of water 26 therein for revaporization.

As the intake end 38a of the nozzle 38 is disposed in the central region of the housing 12 near the geometric center 24, and as the housing 12 is adapted to contain the quantity of water 26 in all portions disposed about the geometric center 24, it is substantially impossible for non-vaporized water to follow a direct path through the-nozzle 38 upon inversion or tilting of the device, as-

suming that a proper quantity of water 26 is disposed within the lower housing portion 16. If the vapor generator is maintained in its normal upright position, the level of the quantity of water 26 will be substantially below the lower surface of the intake end 38a of the nozzle38. If the vapor generator 10 is located such that either its front or back end is oriented directly upwardly, there is sufficient capacity within the housing 12 to contain the quantity of water 26 without the water issuing through the nozzle 38. There is not other exit from the housing other than through the nozzle as the water fill hole is stopped during use of the device. If the vapor generator 10 is inverted, there is sufficient volume in the housing above the upper surface of the intake end 380 to accommodate the quantity of water 26. Furthermore, should the device be laid on either'side, there is sufficient volume within the housing 12 to accommodate the quantity of water 26 without it leaving the housing through the nozzle 38. Thus, the device of the instant invention is substantially leak-proof, even if it should be accidentally inverted, tilted, or .laid on its side while water is contained therein.

A particular feature of the invention, as shown in FIG. 3, is the provision of a handle 42 that is slidable from a position within the housing 12 to an extended position where it is employed to control the direction of the issuing steam. The handle 42 is desirably substantially L-shaped, with one of its legs 42a serving as the holding means for the vapor generator 10 and the other of its legs 42b slidably movable within the housing 12. The second leg 42b is movable within a closed channel 44 defined by the upper housing portion 14 and a top plate 46 secured to the upper housing portion 14 by v6 As shown in FIG. 2, the handleleg 42a extends downwardly so thatthe generator 10 rests upon a surscrews 48 or like fastening means. Notches 50 (FIG. 5)

are provided in the upper surface of the second leg 42b of the handle 42 near the outer end thereof. A lock member 52 (FIG. 5) is disposed in an aperture 53 in the top' plate 46 near the rearward end thereof. The lock member 52 has outwardly extending feet 54 at its base, the feet 54 engaging the notches 50 in the handle 42 as the handle is moved to an extended position from the housing 12. The lock member 52 is gravity actuated such that the feet 54 of the lock member drop within the notches 50 without further assistance, as best seen in FIG. 5. It is, of course, contemplated that other locking devices of a similar nature may also be appropriate. Projections 56 (FIG. 4) or the like on the upper surface of the second leg 42b at the extreme outer end thereof serve to guide the handle 42 within the channel 44. Thus, the handle 42 may be locked in an extended position from the housing for use or contained substantially within the housing 12 forstorage.

face on the handle and on a projection 16a extending from the lower housing portion 16. This prevents any injury to the surface due to the hot water in the genera- .tor.

The vapor generator 10 of the present invention is completely safe to the user. As explained above, heated but non-vaporized water may not issue from the housing 12 regardless of the position of the device. The user is also protected against electrical shock" as the electrodes 32 and the screws 34 which serve as a connection to the lead wire 36 are disposed in such a position that they may not be touched by the user. Protection plate 58 and the upper housing portion 14 definea cavity 59 (FIGS. 3 and 4) located beneath the channel 44 in which is completely contained the electrodes-lead wire connection. A projection 58a extends downwardly from protection plate 58 and cooperates with an upwardly extending projection 14a to lock lead wire 36 in position. An additional guard (not shown) may surround the water fill hole 20 inside the housing 12 so that the user is prevented from placing his finger a substantial distance within the housing 12. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a tapered stopper 60 is disposable within the water fill hole 20 to prevent water or steam from exiting therefrom. However, the stopper 60 is frictionally secured to the housing 12 so that in the event the aperture 22 becomes plugged causing the steam pressure to build up within the housing 12, the stopper 60 will be'forced out of the water fill hole 20 and this pressure will be relieved. This prevents the housing 12 from separating about the lap seam 18. Furthermore, for safety purposes the entire housing 12 is fabricated of a heat-resistant and non-conductive material, such as a thermoplastic resin or propylene or acrylonitrilebutadiene-styrene.

In operation of the device, the handle 42 is slidably moved from the housing 12 and located in its operating position spaced from the housing, wherein it is secured in place by the gravity-actuated lock member 52. An appropriate quantity of water 26, i.e. one-half to one ounce of water, is placed in a water measuring cup 62 (FIGS. 1 and 2), which is typically furnished with the vapor generator 10. It should be noted that the water measuring cup 62 is designed so that it will not accommodate a substantially greater amount of water than is desirable for use in the vapor generator 10 and such that it will readily fit about the first leg 42a of the handle 42 when it is desired to store the device. The quantity of water 26 is poured from the water measuring cup 62 through the water fill hole 20 into the lower housing portion 16. Where the user lives in a locality having extremely soft water, it may be necessary to add a small amount of impurity, e.g. salt, bicarbonate of soda or other common household agent, to the water so that the water is sufficiently electrically conductive. The stopper 60 is then firmly located in the water fill hole 20 to prevent steam from escaping therethrough. The lead wire 36 is connected to a suitable source of alternating current and if the vapor generator 10 is disposed in a substantially upright position, the electrodes 32 will commence vaporizing the quantity of water 26 within a period of about 1 minute.

ln use, the vapor generator 10 is held by means of the first leg 42d of the handle 42 in a substantially upright position. The device is directed such that the discharge end 3811 of the nozzle 38 is spaced slightly from the fabric, garment or other surface to be treated. The device is moved about the surface to be treated so that the steam is effective over a wide area. The generated steam is capable of removing wrinkles from or putting creases in the fabric, garment or other surface without damage thereto. It is not necessary or desirable to press the front end of the vapor generator 10' against the fabric, garment or other surface.

To store the device after use, the handle 42 is preferably returned to its position within the housing 12. This is accomplished by lifting the lock member 52 within the aperture 53 so that the second leg 42b of the handle 42 will slide within the channel 44. The measuring cup 62 may then be disposed about the first leg 42a so that the vapor generator 10 may be stored within a relatively smaller container.

Thus, the present invention provides a portable, hand-held steamer for treating fabrics, garments or the like that is substantially leak-proof, regardless of the position of the device, that ceases producing steam in the event it is accidentally tilted or inverted, and that is controlable, simple and hence low in cost and yet completely safe to the user. The device has been found particularly effective in steaming wrinkles out of suits, dresses, drapes, ties, and other garments and in putting creases into same.

What is claimed is:

1. Portable hand-held steam producing apparatus,

. comprising:

intake end of said nozzle means disposed near the.

geometric central region of said housing, said housing having a substantially equal capacity for containing water in all directions taken about said geometric central region such that said housing provides a sufiicient volume in all directions taken about said intake end of said nozzle means to accommodate said quantity of water such that said water will not exit said housing to said discharge end of said'nozzle means upon inversion or tilting of said apparatus.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said heating means comprises a pair of spaced heat-conducting electrodes directed into said water contained in the lower portion of said housing.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said heating means comprises a pair of electrodes immersible in said quantity of water contained in said housing, said water serving as electrolyte for conducting current between said electrodes. I

4. Portable hand-held steam producing apparatus,

comprising:

a. a housing for contammg a predetermined volume of water to be converted to steam;

b. heating means in the lower part of the housing;

c. outlet means for the housing including:

1. a nozzle; 2. a conduit leading to the nozzle, said conduit having an intake end; wherein the improvement comprises:

d. means for supporting the intake end of said conduit near the geometric center of the housing such that said housing provides, in any orientation of the steam-producing apparatus, a volume below said geometric center of the housing which is greater than said predetermined volume of water, so that water cannot flow out of the housing through said conduit.

5. Portable hand-held steam producing apparatus according to claim 4, including a. a container for measuring said predetermined volume;

b. means for attaching said container to said steam producing apparatus; and

c. a removable stopper for said housing.

6. Portable hand-held steam producing apparatus according to claim 5, including:

a. a handle for said apparatus attached to the housing and having a projecting leg;

b. said container, when empty, engages said projecting leg, said leg serving as a part of said attaching means. 

1. Portable hand-held steam producing apparatus, comprising: a. a housing for containing a quantity of water in the lower portion thereof; b. heating means contained within said housing for heating said quantity of water to generate steam; and c. nozzle means having an intake end positioned within said housing and a discharge end for directing said steam from said housing against a surface to be treated with said steam; wherein the improvement comprises: d. means for supporting said nozzle means with said intake end of said nozzle means disposed near the geometric central region of said housing, said housing having a substantially equal capacity for containing water in all directions taken about said geometric central region such that said housing provides a sufficient volume in all directions taken about said intake end of said nozzle means to accommodate said quantity of water such that said water will not exit said housing to said discharge end of said nozzle means upon inversion or tilting of said apparatus.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said heating means comprises a pair of spaced heat-conducting electrodes directed into said water contained in the lower portion of said housing.
 2. a conduit leading to the nozzle, said conduit having an intake end; wherein the improvement comprises: d. means for supporting the intake end of said conduit near the geometric center of the housing such that said housing provides, in any orientation of the steam-producing apparatus, a volume below said geometric center of the housing which is greater than said predetermined volume of water, so that water cannot flow out of the housing through said conduit.
 3. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said heating means comprises a pair of electrodes immersible in said quantity of water contained in said housing, said water serving as electrolyte for conducting current between said electrodes.
 4. Portable hand-held steam producing apparatus, comprising: a. a housing for containing a predetermined volume of water to be converted to steam; b. heating means in the lower part of the housing; c. outlet means for the housing including:
 5. Portable hand-held steam producing apparatus according to claim 4, including a. a container for measuring said predetermined volume; b. means for attaching said container to said steam producing apparatus; and c. a removable stopper for said housing.
 6. Portable hand-held steam producing apparatus according to claim 5, including: a. a handle for said apparatus attached to the housing and having a projecting leg; b. said container, when empty, engages said projecting leg, said leg serving as a part of said attaching means. 